2 transients burned in Ventura assault

Ventura police on Wednesday were investigating an assault that left two transients with moderate burn injuries, officials said.

Officers responded to the 200 block of East Thompson Boulevard about 8:25 a.m. after getting reports that two people had been burned by a man who threw hot coals on them.

The man ran away before police arrived and was last seen on a bicycle heading toward the Ventura County Fairgrounds, officials said.

During the investigation officers learned that both victims were inside a tent in an encampment when a man threw hot coals from a campfire onto the tent. The coals burned through the tent and landed on the victims, officials said. The man and woman, both transients, were treated at the scene for moderate burns to their back and arms and were taken to Ventura County Medical Center.

Officers searched the area and were not able to find the man involved, police said.

Anyone with information related to the incident can call the Ventura Police Department at 339-4441.